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Neil Oliver, archaeologist and broadcaster charts the birth and growth of the Scottish nation. He brings a fresh perspective to Scotland’s past and challenges many of the perceived notions of Scottish history. With stunning, cinematography and mesmerising narrative the series tells of battles and allegiances, political intrigue and religious conflict. The series charts the journey from the diverse tribes’ first stirrings of identity around 2,000 years ago through to devolution and the reopening of the Scottish Parliament. It reveals the fascinating struggles, power brokers, incidents and characters across the years from William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Sir Walter Scott to the Highland – lowland rivalry, the Covenanters, the Darien disaster and the tobacco lords. Using the very latest in historical research, A History of Scotland is a sweeping and insightful chronicle of an often turbulent, but continuingly fascinating, nation.Episode 1 The Last of the Free – At the dawn of the first millennia, there was no Scotland or England. In the first episode Oliver reveals the mystery of how the Gaelic Scottish Kingdom – Alba – was born, and why its role in one of the greatest battles ever fought on British soil defined the shape of Britain in the modern era.Episode 2 Hammers of the Scots – Oliver charts the 13th century story of the two men who helped transform the Gaelic kingdom of Alba into the Scotland of today. While Alexander II forged Scotland in blood and violence, William Wallace’s resistance to King Edward I of England hammered national consciousness into the Scots.Episode 3 Bishop Makes King – Robert Bruce’s 22 year struggle to secure the Scots’ independence is one of the most important chapters in Scotland’s story. Oliver explores the role the Scottish church played in promoting Robert Bruce, the propaganda campaigns, both at home and abroad, and how the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath persuaded the Pope to finally recognise Scotland as an independent nation.Episode 4 Language Is power At one time, Gaelic Scotland – the people and the language – was central to the identity of Scots. But as Oliver reveals, Scotland’s infamous Highland/Lowland divide was the result of a family struggle that divided the kingdom. This is the story of how the policies of the Stewart royal family in the 15th century led to the Gaels being perceived as rebels and outsiders.Episode 5 Project Britain – Oliver describes how the ambitions of two of Scotland’s Stuart monarchs were the driving force that united two ancient enemies, and set them on the road to the Great Britain we know today. While Mary Queen of Scots plotted to usurp Elizabeth I and seize the throne of England, her son James dreamt of a more radical future a Protestant Great Britain.